A look back in time

In May 1929 a Stockbridge bond issue for a new school was approved. In April 2019, 90 years later, the building referred to as the Old Middle School was sold to Mike Dalton and is now the Stockbridge Activity Center. Photo credit Patrice Johnson

by Diane Rockall

One hundred years ago in May 1919, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows celebrated its 100-year anniversary, the Order at that time was a major international organization.

Liberty iron workers were given German helmets for distinguished service during the just-ended war with Germany. The helmets were confiscated when Germany was defeated.

These two stories led the news for the Stockbridge Brief-Sun in early May 1919. On a local note, eggs cost 12 cents per dozen and butter was priced at 35 to 50 cents per pound. North Waterloo UB Church held an evangelical meeting featuring R.I. Chapman as speaker. The local Eastern Stars elected officers. Servicemen still stationed in peacetime Germany continued to write home. Earl Smith was in Krupp, Germany, where he wrote that the weather was nice and warm.

Internationally, Moscow and Petrograd (earlier St. Petersburg and later Stalingrad) had a severe food shortage raising prices on horse, dog and cat meat. At the same time, people were dying in the street of typhus. There were reports that dead bodies awaiting burial were lying in the cemetery.

May 1929

Ten years later in May 1929, comic strips made an appearance in the local paper. In May of that year, veterans were encouraged to file for adjusted service certificates. The high school Junior Hop dance was a great success.

Concerns were being raised nationwide for the number of automobile fatalities. In the first 18 months of reporting, more than 77,000 deaths had accrued, the Brief-Sun reported from government statistics.

Stockbridge’s bond issue for a new school was approved. Livingston County announced orchard spraying. The village of Munith held a community birthday party. The Stockbridge Exchange Club held a pep meeting. A Mother-Daughter Banquet was held at the Fitchburg Grange Hall. The Ingham County Extension Service announced preliminary plans for an electric farm vehicle coming soon.

Memorial Day exercises were held May 30. After the program, Stockbridge played Consumers Power in a baseball game.

Perhaps from the presentation of this piece those who are regular readers will notice that the microfilm reader has finally returned to the Stockbridge CADL library and is ready for use once again.

Diane Rockall serves in several capacities as a member of the Stockbridge Community News Board of Directors.